When is the Best Time of Day to Take Your GLP-1 Injection?

When you start a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, your doctor provides detailed instructions on your dosage. But one detail is often left entirely up to you: what time of day should you actually take your weekly injection?

Because these medications affect everyone differently, the "perfect" time isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It largely depends on your personal susceptibility to side effects and your daily schedule. Here is a breakdown of the benefits of morning versus evening injections.

Taking Your Injection in the Morning

Starting your day with your weekly injection is a popular choice for many patients.

Appetite Control All Day: By injecting in the morning, the medication is actively peaking during your waking hours. This can be highly beneficial for individuals who struggle with daytime snacking or large lunches.
Convenience: For many, the morning routine is the most consistent part of the day. Tying your injection to your morning shower or coffee habit ensures you rarely forget a dose.
The Downside: If you are prone to side effects like mild nausea or fatigue¹, taking your shot in the morning means you might have to navigate those symptoms while working or running errands.

Taking Your Injection at Night

Evening injections have become increasingly recommended by doctors, particularly for patients who are just starting or titrating up to a higher dose.

Sleep Through Side Effects: Nighttime injections allow you to sleep through the first 8-10 hours of the medication's release. If you experience nausea², this is often the best strategy, as the worst of the symptoms may pass while you are asleep.
Curb Late-Night Cravings: If your biggest dietary hurdle is late-night binge eating, an evening injection may provide the strongest appetite suppression exactly when you need it most.

Key Factors in Your Decision

Ultimately, the best time to take your GLP-1 medication is whenever you can take it consistently.

Consistency is Key: The most important rule is to stick to the same general time each week. With semaglutide's half-life of approximately 7 days³, the medication maintains steady levels, but consistent timing helps establish a reliable routine and ensures you don't miss doses.
Listen to Your Body: It is perfectly acceptable to switch your injection time if your current routine isn't working. If morning nausea is ruining your workday, try switching to the evening for your next dose.

Manage Your Schedule with Dosio

Remembering exactly when you took your last dose—and whether you injected it in the morning or evening—can be surprisingly difficult when weeks start blurring together.

The Dosio app's dedicated Shot Tracker takes the mental load off your shoulders. It provides a visual countdown to your next injection and allows you to log the exact time and location (e.g., left thigh, right abdomen) of your dose so you naturally rotate sites according to FDA guidelines⁴.

Take the guesswork out of your routine and track your injections with precision.

Ready to take control of your GLP-1 journey?

Join thousands of users tracking their progress with Dosio.

Important Legal & Medical Disclaimer

Not Medical Advice This article is provided solely for educational purposes. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding the administration and timing of your specific medication.